WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court is likely to reject US President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship following a hearing on Wednesday. Demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court building as Trump attended oral arguments, an unprecedented move for a sitting president.
Trump signed an executive order in his second term to deny citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas. However, lower courts blocked this move, citing the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to nearly everyone born on US soil.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued that unrestricted birthright citizenship contradicts practices in most modern nations and encourages illegal immigration and 'birth tourism.' Justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, questioned the administration’s arguments, emphasizing the historical context of the 14th Amendment and its broad application.
ACLU attorney Cecillia Wang warned that rejecting birthright citizenship could call into question the citizenship of millions of Americans. A decision is expected by late June or early July.